First-Year Composition Learning Outcomes

These learning outcomes for the UWC English Department's first-year composition program were developed by the Composition Committee (a subcommittee of UWC English Department Curriculum Committee) and adopted by the English Department at the Spring 2009 meeting. The committee is gathering resources to link to the table below, so stay tuned. Click here for a printable MS Word version of the learning outcomes table.

Best Practices in Writing Instruction
ENG 098 Course Guide	ENG 101 Course Guide	ENG 102 Course Guide
English 098 Best Practices & Sample Course Materials	English 101 Best Practices & Sample Course Materials	English 102 Best Practices & Sample Course Materials

English 098 Learning Outcomes After taking English 098, students should be able to…	English 101 Learning Outcomes After taking English 101, students should be able to…	English 102 Learning Outcomes After taking English 102, students should be able to…
Rhetorical Knowledge Audience Begin to identify formality and informality in academic writing Identify the intended audience and purpose of a text Rhetorical Situation and Purpose Begin to recognize different kinds of reading and writing situations Begin to recognize conventions of format and structure appropriate to different kinds of reading and writing situations Form Begin to recognize disciplinary and generic conventions that shape the form of a text Knowledge of Conventions Understand and identify the conventions of standard written English Write structurally sound sentences, using appropriate syntax and adhering to grammar conventions Make progress toward appropriate language usage, punctuation and word choice Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing Thinking Begin to use writing for inquiry, learning, thinking, and communicating Begin to recognize power of language Begin to consider multiple perspectives Reading Understand the difference between academic and nonacademic writing Summarize a text Identify the topic sentence of a paragraph and the overall main point or thesis (when explicit) of a text Distinguish between literal and figurative meaning Writing Write paragraphs and topic sentences Organize a cohesive essay focusing on a main point and arranging ideas in a logical order Use transitional words between sentences and paragraphs Use examples to support an idea Use coordination and subordination in structuring sentences Produce a written response to a reading Processes Develop an awareness of the writing process Plan, draft, revise, and edit essays Understand the process of invention and revision Learn how to work collaboratively	Rhetorical Knowledge Audience Understand formality and informality in academic writing Adapt content, form, and style to the audience, purpose, and requirements of a college writing assignment Rhetorical Situation and Purpose Recognize different kinds of reading and writing situations Recognize conventions of format and structure appropriate to different kinds of reading and writing situations Form Understand how disciplinary and generic conventions shape the form of a text Read and understand different kinds of texts Knowledge of Conventions Apply conventions of standard written English and grammar, language usage, punctuation, word choice, and style, and recognize academic writing conventions Identify and construct complete sentences and demonstrate an understanding of sentence boundaries Use a signal phrase to introduce a summary, paraphrase, or quotation Use parenthetical references to cite sources according to an established documentation style Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing Thinking Use writing for inquiry, learning, thinking, and communicating Begin to understand the relationships among language, knowledge, and power Consider multiple perspectives and identify bias Reading Distinguish between fact and opinion Identify multiple perspectives in a text Identify main points and supporting details in a text Recognize explicit and implicit meaning in a text Analyze and evaluate an author’s thesis, assertions, and supporting evidence Begin to critically evaluate source material Identify and integrate appropriate quotable material Summarize a text without plagiarizing Quote and paraphrase source material Writing Narrow a topic Write and support a clear, focused thesis Understand the paragraph as a unit of meaning Construct unified paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details that advance the thesis Develop a cohesive essay using transitions within and between paragraphs Processes Generate multiple drafts to create and complete a successful text Apply successful strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proofreading Understand the recursive writing process that permits writers to use later invention and rethinking to revise their work Develop the ability to critique their own and others’ work Develop proficiency in collaborative work	Rhetorical Knowledge Audience Understand and use formal academic tone with a clear understanding of audience and purpose Independently adapt a self-generated text’s content, form, and style to a particular writing task defined by audience and purpose Rhetorical Situation and Purpose Respond appropriately to different kinds of reading and writing situations Use conventions of format and structure appropriate to different kinds of reading and writing situations Form Articulate how disciplinary and generic conventions shape the form of a text Read and write different kinds of texts Knowledge of Conventions Demonstrate a command of standard written English, academic writing conventions, and make appropriate decisions about grammar, language usage, punctuation, word choice, and style Understand and avoid plagiarism or the appearance of plagiarism Cite research in an established documentation style Critical Thinking, Reading, Writing, and Research Thinking Use writing and reading for inquiry, learning, thinking, and communicating Understand the relationships among language, knowledge, and power Consider multiple perspectives and identify bias Understand and evaluate logical reasoning and evidence Reading Understand data, its origins, and its inferences Identify the controlling idea of a text Grapple with and analyze complex, nuanced arguments and texts Paraphrase and summarize complex, sophisticated source material Analyze and evaluate the content, organization, and rhetorical appeals of an argument Writing Identify, narrow, and develop a topic appropriate to an assignment Construct a logical, well-supported argument Identify, generate, and refute counterarguments Distinguish between “reporting on” or regurgitating information and taking a position and supporting it using source material Synthesize and integrate source material Support a thesis using credible, appropriate, accurate, and sufficient source material Research Demonstrate a command of the research process including but not limited to: Generate and develop a research question and thesis Locate, evaluate, and synthesize secondary source material Distinguish between primary and secondary sources and primary and secondary research Effectively use the scholarly online databases, online library catalog, and other library resources Processes Demonstrate a command of multiple drafts to create and complete a successful text Develop successful strategies for generating, revising, editing, and proofreading Demonstrate the recursive writing process that permits writers to use later invention and rethinking to revise their work Understand the collaborative and social aspects of writing processes Critique their own and others' works Learn to balance the advantages of relying on others with the responsibility of doing their part